Executive Roundtable Discussion: Supply Chain Issues | Speakers

Tom Chapman | Announced Incoming CEO, Organic Trade Association (Discussion Leader)

^{Tom Chapman has been announced as the incoming CEO for the Organic Trade Association. is an executive in the organic industry bringing 20 years of experience in the industry, policy, and certification. Tom possesses a strong understanding of organic principles and standards and has had a career-long dedication to the organic industry including experience in organic certification as well as organic supply chains. Tom started his career at Quality Assurance International (QAI) working on international organic export programs and USDA accreditation. Tom and his teams have sourced over 1 billion pounds of organic ingredients during his 15 years in supply chains at Kinder’s Premium Sauces and Seasonings, Clif Bar & Company and Numi Organic Tea. Tom actively engaged with the organic ingredient supply chain, meeting with farmers and manufacturers to encourage and support the continued growth in organic acres to ensure supply meets with growing demand.}

^{Tom has served and chaired the National Organic Standards Board and California Certified Organic Farms Certification Services Management Committee. He has also served on the board of Mercaris and on the California Organic Products Advisory Committee.}

Corwin Heatwole | Founding Farmer & CEO, Farmer Focus

^{Before founding Farmer Focus, CEO Corwin Heatwole was repeatedly told, “Farmers don't start poultry companies". Farmer Focus is here to prove they can. A 6th generation family farmer who grew up working on his family’s Shenandoah Valley farm, Corwin Heatwole founded Farmer Focus in 2014 with a dream of creating a financially viable farming business that he could pass down to his own children. Today, Farmer Focus is the #1 exclusively organic chicken company in the US, partnering with over 70 independent farmers who continue to improve the standards on raising chickens organically and humanely. Thanks to Corwin’s vision and leadership, Farmer Focus has built a sustainable and profitable future for its farmers, while growing a thriving company.}

Karst Kooistra | Sourcing Director, Tradin Organic Agriculture

^{Mr. Karst Kooistra is a distinguished international expert on organic agriculture, carrying an MSc Organic Agriculture from Wageningen University, and using over 15 years of practical experience throughout the organic sector. Tradin Organic Agriculture with it s headquarters in Amsterdam The Netherlands and a sales office in Scotts Valley, California, is a global supplier of organic ingredients.}

^{Within Tradin Organic, Mr. Kooistra is responsible for the development of new organic sources, the technical support program, strategic alliances, innovation & new business development. One of the latest developments is the Organic Development Finance fund (ODF), providing finance to promising suppliers and Organic Development Services BV, a global organic technical assistance facility. Privately, mr Kooistra and his family own an organically certified historic estate in the Netherlands, based on regenerative organic practices.}